Message

As your constituent, I urge you to cosponsor H.R. 2404, the Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act.

Torture is practiced around the world by governments and rebel groups to instill fear, destroy leadership and abolish community and civil society.

Torture is the most effective weapon against democracy.

Yet, as a supporter of the Center for Victims of Torture, I know that torture survivors can recover from their trauma and rebuild successful lives, becoming contributing members of our society.

The United States is currently home to more than 500,000 torture survivors and, investing in the Torture Victims Relief Act, demonstrates our strong commitment to healing the wounds of torture and advancing human rights.

The Torture Victims Relief Act authorizes the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to fund U.S.-based torture treatment programs for survivors of politically-motivated torture. It also authorizes the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide funds to assist torture treatment centers in other countries.

H.R. 2404 would extend currently existing TVRA authorizations through ORR for domestic torture treatment centers and through USAID for international torture treatment centers for an additional two years.

Since it was first passed in 1998, TVRA has received support from Members of Congress of both political parties nationwide. I hope you will be part of this legislation's strong bipartisan tradition and cosponsor H.R. 2404 to bring hope and healing to torture survivors.

Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to hearing from you on this important issue.